Be an NCBA Star Student – Get Good Grades, Get Involved, Give Back

Since 1984, the NC Bankers Association Foundation has awarded nearly $1.5 million in college scholarship funds to more than 120 high school seniors with a parent employed by an NCBA member bank. Last year’s recipients were Anna Holt Basinger of New Hanover High School in Wilmington, now in her freshman year at the University of Virginia; and Jefferson’s Lane Miller, an Ashe County High School graduate in his first year at Duke University.
This year’s application window opens Feb. 10, when the form will be accessible on the NCBA website. Until then, we are highlighting the 2024 finalists in our Star Student Spotlight.
This week, John Sullivan, Senior Director of the NCBA’s Future Bank Leaders Program, spoke with Sarah Bass, a 2024 graduate of Southern Nash High School, who is attending NC State. She is the daughter of Janet Bass, Government Mortgage Underwriter at First National Bank.

 

John Sullivan: In high school your academic record was sensational – you were first in a class of more than 200. You were a varsity cheerleader, a member of Beta Club, did a lot of volunteering. Many people would agree you were popular, though you aren’t sure, preferring to say you were well-known. Either way you felt you had to put up a front, like you were wearing a mask, because you couldn’t be your true self. That sounds exhaustng. What advice would you give other middle and high schoolers feeling the same way?

Sarah Bass: Don’t rely on anyone else’s opinion except your own. There’s no need to try to make youself seem better than you are, because you’re true self is better.


JS:
What excites you the most about college?

SB: Putting myself out there, considering all the different paths to take, directions to go. Meeting new people and seeing new faces


JS: What do you plan to major in?

SB: Biology.


JS:
What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?

SB: Conducting lab research because I’m interested in curing diseases.


JS:
If you could change one thing about our country right now, what would it be?

SB: Homelessness. It seems like every time I turn a corner I see a homeless person. It makes me feel horrible, and I don’t think as a country we are taking the initiave to solve it.


JS:
Of all your accomplishments what are you most proud of?

SB: My volunteer work at the hosptial. It changed my whole perspective. I loved meeting cancer patients and talking with them and seeing how it made them smile, brightened their day.


JS:
Time for the Rapid Response Round. Favorite color?

SB: Purple.


JS:
You said that way too quickly.

SB: (Laughing) to be specific, it’s actually periwinkle.


JS:
I’m not familiar with that one. There must not be a periwinkle crayon.

SB: It’s like a purpley-blue. I’ve just always loved it.


JS:
Lucky number?

SB: Three. It started in pre-school and it’s stayed with me.


JS:
What social media platform do you spend the most time on?

SB: TikTok.


JS:
Cat or dog?

SB: Dog. I’m not a big dog person, but we actually have two.

 

JS: Beach or mountains? SB: Beach.


JS:
Read a story or write a story?

SB: Read a story. I like to read about history. One of my favorites is called The Light In Hidden Places.


JS:
New York City or Los Angeles?

SB: New York, because Christmas is my favorite holiday and it looks so pretty there when it’s cold with all the pretty lights.

 

JS: Which scares you the most, public speaking or going to the dentist?

SB: Public speaking. I’m a perfectionist, so if it doesn’t go exactly how I want, it bothers me.

 

JS: What would you like the world to know about you, that it doesn’t already?

SB: Because I’m a blonde sometimes people think there’s not a lot of substance there, but once you get to know me you realize that’s not true. So don’t judge a book by it’s cover.